My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at

is

she lifted a knife and a paper plate,

to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some

happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss

the ‘Happy

Rachel must close her eyes and make

must blow out the

Julian that there was no need to go

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish

her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

Rachel finally smiled for the

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood.

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder

turned and headed

her apartment and about to

slam, the door was propped open by

his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

out on

into the house and shut the

“I see you’ve been getting along fine without

took two steps back. Why are you

he pulled off

he sneered, “I suppose you

he approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she

her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged